Method, electronic device and system for remote text input

ABSTRACT

A method, electronic device, and system for remote text input in the electronic device are provided. A display signal may be outputted in the electronic device, displaying a text field for inputting text (e.g., by the user of the electronic device). A request for text input may be sent from the electronic device to another device (e.g., a communication device) which may be addressed by an identifier of the other device (e.g., a SIM of the communication device). The electronic device may then receive the requested text input from the other device (e.g., once the user of the other device enters the requested text).

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/264,845, filed on Apr. 29, 2014, which pursuant to 35 U.S.C.§119 claims the filing date benefit of and right of priority to European(EP) Patent Application Serial No. 20130165852, filed on Apr. 29, 2013.Each of above identified applications is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to electronic devices and use thereof.More specifically, certain embodiments of the disclosure relate to amethod for enabling remote text input in an electronic device, as wellas an electronic device and a system corresponding thereto.

BACKGROUND

While some electronic devices such as personal computers havespecialized keyboards for text input, other electronic devices may notprovide adequate user controls to input text. For example, someelectronic devices may have only a remote control which is normally verysimple and comprises only the main function of the electronic device,but not a keyboard for inputting text. Various solutions are availablein the state of the art, but remain inadequate.

For example, many electronic devices (e.g., those with simple remotecontrols) may provide a display based keyboard. The keys of the keyboardare chosen by using four direction keys to navigate on the display basedkeyboard and a fifth key to confirm each selected keyboard key. This maykeep the remote control simple without requiring any additional keys forthe remote control, but text input is very time consuming and very oftenstops users from using functions of the TV requiring text input.

QWERTY-keyboards as used with personal computers can be connectedwirelessly to the electronic device and provide an effective tool fortext input. However, for most functions of the electronic device, aQWERTY-keyboard is much too complex and too big so that the advantagesof the text input are offset by the disadvantages of this kind of remotecontrol. In some cases the QWERTY-keyboards are reduced in size, whichalways raises the problem of the trade-off between size of a key andsize of the remote control. In addition, the text input by the QWERTYkeyboard can only be checked on a display of the electronic device sothat the user has to change his view always between the display whichmay be far away and the keyboard. This is already a burden for peoplewith good eyes, but becomes a serious barrier for person with differentdefects of vision for the distance and the vicinity.

An alternative method to input text is use of a number field. Forexample, number 1 (or key corresponding thereto) may be used to input A,B or C, the number 2 may be used to enter D, E or F, etc. This inputmethod is well-known in mobile phones, but is used less and less withthe rise of smartphones which also use a full keyboard. In addition,this method also requires controlling the input via the display of thedevice.

Recently, devices such as smartphones may be directly used as remotecontrols for the electronic device. This has the advantages that theuser can use the text input well known to the user by daily use of asmartphone, and that the user can also see text input directly on thesmartphone while typing. However, for each electronic device, the userhas to download an application for the remote control of the electronicdevice. On the other side, the manufacturer of electronic devices beingcontrolled has to offer for each type of smartphone or each type ofoperating system of a smartphone, an application and update theapplications with each version of the smartphone operating system.Therefore the installation and maintenance of those applications arecumbersome for the manufacturer and the user.

Similar issues exist in various video signal devices, such astelevisions, set-top boxes (STBs), video recorder, etc. In this regard,none of the presented solutions of the state of the art are suitable fortext input.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention asset forth in the remainder of the present application with reference tothe drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A system and/or method is provided for remote text input, substantiallyas shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of thefigures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the presentinvention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, willbe more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparentfrom the following description of non-limiting example embodiments, withreference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of the system for remote textinput.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example process for remote text input.

FIGS. 3A to 3E illustrate an example embodiment of the method for remotetext input.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As utilized herein the terms “circuits” and “circuitry” refer tophysical electronic components (e.g., hardware) and any software and/orfirmware (“code”) which may configure the hardware, be executed by thehardware, and or otherwise be associated with the hardware. As usedherein, for example, a particular processor and memory may comprise afirst “circuit” when executing a first one or more lines of code and maycomprise a second “circuit” when executing a second one or more lines ofcode. As utilized herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items inthe list joined by “and/or”. As an example, “x and/or y” means anyelement of the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. In other words, “xand/or y” means “one or both of x and y.” As another example, “x, y,and/or z” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x,y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. In other words, “x, y and/or z” means“one or more of x, y, and z.” As utilized herein, the term “exemplary”means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. Asutilized herein, the terms “for example” and “e.g.,” set off lists ofone or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. Asutilized herein, circuitry is “operable” to perform a function wheneverthe circuitry comprises the necessary hardware and code (if any isnecessary) to perform the function, regardless of whether performance ofthe function is disabled or not enabled (e.g., by a user-configurablesetting, factory trim, etc.).

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may be found in a methodand system for remote text input, as described in the following in moredetail with reference to the attached figures. In this regard, asexplained in more detail above, while some electronic devices such aspersonal computers may have specialized keyboards for text input, manyelectronic devices may not provide adequate user controls to supportinput text. In particular, the disclosure provides a method, system andelectronic device for remote text input on the electronic device, whichprovides simple and easy remote control for the main functions of theelectronic device, but which may still provide an effective text inputfor a user without the necessity of performing complex actions (e.g.,installations of apps).

A method for remote text input to an electronic device may comprise, forexample, initially outputting a display signal displaying a text fieldfor inputting text. A request for text input may then be sent from theelectronic device to a communication device, which may be addressed byan identifier of the communication device (e.g., identifier of anidentity module of the communication device). At the electronic device,the requested text input subsequently may be received from thecommunication device (e.g., after the requested text input is enteredinto the communication device).

A method for remote text input to an electronic device via acommunication device may comprise the following: a request for textinput is received from the electronic device by the communicationdevice, wherein the request may address the communication device on thebasis of an identifier of the communication device (e.g., stored in anidentity module of the communication device); a text input is receivedfrom the user interface of the communication device; and the text inputmay be sent from the communication device to the electronic device.

An electronic device in accordance with the present disclosure maycomprise: a display configured to output a display signal displaying atext field for inputting text; a communication component configured tosend information to a communication device addressed by an identifier ofthe communication device, and to receive information from thecommunication device; a processor configured to control the display tooutput a display signal displaying a text field for inputting text, andto control the communication component to send a request for text inputto the communication device, and to receive the requested text inputfrom the communication device. Sending the request for text input to thecommunication device may be in response to receiving from a user controldevice (or component), a selection to input the text in the text fieldusing the communication device.

The present disclosure may allow for using a standardized communicationpath on the basis of the identification information stored in identitymodules used, e.g., in mobile cellular telephone networks. This mayallow to connecting such communication devices as smartphones withelectronic devices without any complex download and installation steps.The user simply may have to enter once an identifier of thecommunication device (e.g., smartphone's identifier, such as a phonenumber assigned to the user/smartphone) in the electronic device, andthe user can use thereafter the communication device for text input inthe electronic device. This has the advantage of allowing users to usefamiliar functions of text input offered by well-known communicationdevices. This is particularly advantageous for electronic devices thatmay require text input but lack convenient means for doing so (e.g.,video signal devices like televisions, set top boxes, video recorder,etc.). The disclosure is not restricted to or dependent on anyparticular type of electronic device, however.

In one example embodiment, in response to outputting the display signal,a selection to input the text via a communication device may be receivedfrom a user control device (or component) of the electronic device.

In one example embodiment, the user control device (or component) of theelectronic device may be a remote control. In this regard, the presentdisclosure may be particularly advantageous for electronic devices withremote controls, because most remote controls have only rudimentary keyswhich are not suitable enough for a comfortable text input. Therefore,it is convenient to choose with the simple remote control the functionof the text input via a communication device and use the comfortablefunctions for text input of the communication device.

In one example embodiment, the user control device (or component) may bedifferent from the communication device. In this regard, the presentdisclosure may be advantageous for user controls of electronic deviceswhich are different from the communication devices.

In one example embodiment, the identifier of the communication devicemay be one of a telephone number corresponding to a SIM as identitymodule and an IMSI corresponding to the SIM. In this regard, use thetelephone number of the communication device as identifier may beparticularly advantageous, since the user will normally know the phonenumber, and as such the user can very conveniently configure the textinput via the communication device by entering the phone number.

In one example embodiment, the selection to input the text via acommunication device may comprise the input of the identifier of thecommunication device (or an identity module thereof). This input may beperformed by selecting the identifier out of a list, or by entering theidentifier by the user control device (or component) of the electronicdevice.

In one example embodiment, the request may be sent over a mobile phonenetwork and the identifier may be an identifier of the mobile cellulartelephone network (or identifier of the communication device within themobile cellular telephone network). This may be particularlyadvantageous because communication over mobile cellular telephonenetworks is highly standardized, such that each communication devicesuitable for communication with the mobile cellular telephone networkmay be configured to receive a request over the mobile cellular phonenetwork without any configuration of the communication device.

In some example embodiments, the request may be sent in a SMS message.The SMS message sent in this manner may comprise, for example, atelephone number of origin as origin of the SMS message. The electronicdevice may receive the requested text input from a response SMS messagesent back to the telephone number of origin. Such embodiments may beadvantageous because a user of the communication device may use SMSmessages as a backchannel by simply answering the request of theelectronic device.

In one example embodiment, the request may comprise a link to theInternet, where the link comprises, for example, a text input field, andthe electronic device may receive the requested text input from thelink. This embodiment may have the advantage that a large number of textinput fields may be sent in one request, such as by creating a webpagewith all requested text fields, and by sending only the link to thiswebpage to the communication device. Since the access of webpages ishighly standardized and possible by nearly all communication devices,this may allow a simple backchannel.

In one example embodiment, the link may be created uniquely for at leastone of each request and of each electronic device.

In one example embodiment, the request may comprise the address of theelectronic device in a local connection, and the requested text inputmay be received at the electronic device via the local connection.

In one example embodiment, the method may comprise outputting a displaysignal displaying the requested text input received at the electronicdevice and confirming the text input by the user control device (orcomponent) of the electronic device. This may have the advantage thatthe electronic device may be mainly controlled via the user controldevice (or component) of the electronic device, and the text input maybe realized via the communication device which is more adapted for textinput.

In one example embodiment, the method may comprise receiving the requestat the communication device, receiving text input by the user interfaceof the communication device and sending the text input from thecommunication device to the electronic device.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of the system for remote textinput. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a system comprising anelectronic device 1 and a communication device 2.

Each of the electronic device 1 and the communication device 2 maycomprise suitable circuitry for implementing various aspects of thepresent disclosure, including, at least, functions and/or operationsattributed thereto. For example, as shown in the example embodimentdepicted in FIG. 1, the electronic device 1 may comprise a communicationcomponent 11, a user control component 12, a display 13 and a processor14. The communication device 2 may comprise a communication component21, a text input component 22, a display 23 and an identity module 24.Examples of communication devices 2 are mobile phones, smartphones,tablets, portable computers, or the like. The disclosure is not limited,however, to any particular type of electronic and/or communicationdevices.

The electronic device 1 may be connected to the communication device 2,such as over a first communication connection 3, and in some cases alsoover a second communication connection 4. For example, the electronicdevice 1 may be configured to receive text input (e.g., over the firstcommunication connection 3), and/or to handle or process the receivedtext input. The communication device 2 may be configured to receive arequest from the electronic device 1, to input text and to transfer thetext input back to the electronic device 1.

The first communication connection 3 may be any communication linksuitable for data transfer. The first communication connection 3 maycomprise any Internet Protocol (IP) or also circuit-switchedcommunication protocols, over fixed or mobile communication linksincluding, optical fibre, copper links, satellite links, etc. The systemand method disclosed herein may be operable over any type of data link.The first communication connection 3 may comprise, for example, a mobilecellular network such as a mobile cellular telephone network, GlobalSystem for Mobil Communications (GSM), Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE) or othermobile phone standards defined by the European TelecommunicationsStandards Institute (ETSI). The first communication connection 3 mayalso comprise a connection over an Internet protocol (IP) and over amobile cellular network. For example, the first communication connection3 may provide an Internet connection between the electronic device 2 anda server and provide a mobile cellular network between the server andthe communication device 2.

The second communication connection 4 may comprise a local communicationconnection between the electronic device 1 and the communication device2. Examples for a local communication connection 4 are Bluetooth(registered trademark), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) or anInfrared link. The second communication connection 4 is not necessaryfor all embodiments, but might be useful for some example embodiments.

The communication component 21 may be configured to enablecommunications by the communication device 2 (e.g., with the electronicdevice 1). In this regard, the communication component 21 may comprise afirst communication sub-component 21.1 and a second communicationsub-component 21.2. The first communication sub-component 21.1 may beconfigured to communicate over the first communication connection 3 withthe electronic device 1. In an example embodiment, where thecommunication device 2 is connected via an Internet connection, thefirst communication sub-component 21.1 may configured to communicateusing, e.g., IP over the first communication connection 3. In an exampleembodiment, where the communication device 2 is connected via a mobilecellular network, the first communication sub-component 21.1 isconfigured to communicate with the mobile cellular network on the basisof the corresponding protocols and standards. For example, the firstcommunication sub-component 21.1 could be a GSM transceiver.

The identity module 24 may comprise an identifier which identifies theuser of the communication device 2. The identifier may be suitable toidentify the user of the communication device 2, for example, within amobile cellular network or a mobile cellular telephone network. Theidentity module 24 may be a subscriber identity module (SIM). The SIM,in some instances, is a memory storing at least one identifier of amobile cellular network. In most cases the international mobilesubscriber number (IMSI) is used as the identifier or the telephonenumber corresponding to this IMSI. In one example embodiment, theidentity module 24 is a physical card which is inserted in a slot of thecommunication device 2. In another example embodiment, the identitymodule 24 may be a so called virtual SIM or embedded SIM, which maystore information of a SIM card directly in the communication device 2or in another SIM card relating to another identifier. The identitymodule 24 may be connected with the first communication sub-component21.1. The information of the identity module 24 may be used to identifythe communication device 2 in the first communication connection 3(e.g., within a mobile cellular network or the Internet).

The second communication sub-component 21.2 may be configured tocommunicate with the electronic device 1 over the second communicationconnection 4. The second communication sub-component 21.2 is onlynecessary, if a local communication connection 4 is desirable.

The text input component 22 may be configured to receive textinformation from a user. The text input component 22 may comprise akeyboard, a virtual keyboard displayed on a touchscreen, a number blockwhich allows entering text by relating a certain amount of signs tosingle keys of the number block, voice recognition based input, etc. Thedisclosure is not restricted to a certain kind of text input of thecommunication device 2. One advantage of the present disclosure is thatthe text input at communication device 2 depends only on the potentialtext input possibilities of the communication device 2 to which the userof the communication device 2 is accustomed.

The display 23 may be configured to display the text input. The display23 may not be necessary for all embodiments. However, if thecommunication device 2 comprises a display 23, the text input in thecommunication device 2 can be controlled on the display 23 of thecommunication device 2, and the electronic device 1 does not need adisplay or it is not necessary to show the text input on the screen ofthe electronic device 1. In some cases, the user wants to enter secretinformation like login information which he does not want to display ata display of the electronic device 1 which may be visible to others.

The communication component 11 of the electronic device 1 may beconfigured to enable communications by the electronic device (e.g., withthe communication device 2). The communication component 11 may comprisea first communication sub-component 11.1 and a second communicationsub-component 11.2. The first communication sub-component 11.1 isconfigured to communicate over the first communication connection 3 withthe communication device 2. In example embodiments where the electronicdevice 1 is connected via an Internet connection, the firstcommunication sub-component 11.1 may be configured to communicate usingIP. In example embodiments where the electronic device 1 is connectedvia a mobile cellular network, the first communication sub-component11.1 may be configured to communicate with the mobile cellular networkon the basis of the corresponding protocols and standards. For example,the first communication sub-component 11.1 may be a GSM transceiver.

The second communication sub-component 11.2 may be configured tocommunicate with the communication device 2 over the secondcommunication connection 4. The second communication sub-component 11.2is only used if a local communication connection is desirable.

The user control component 12 may be configured to control the functionsof the electronic device 1, and/or to receive user input for thiscontrol. In one example embodiment, the user control component 12 is aremote control which is connected to the electronic device by a wirelessconnection, e.g., Infrared, Bluetooth, or WLAN. In another exampleembodiment, the user control component 12 is integrally included in theelectronic device 1. In a further example embodiment, the user controlcomponent 12 comprises a first part which is integrally connected in theelectronic device 1 and a second part which corresponds to a remotecontrol.

The display 13 may be configured to output (or display) information. Forexample, display 13 may be configured to output a display signal. Thedisplay 13 could also comprise a display which displays the displaysignal. However, a display is not necessary for all embodiments. Forexample, a set-top box (STB) as an electronic device 1 may also not havea display which shows the display signal output, but still has a display13 which outputs a display signal to an external display.

The processor 14 may be configured to control at least the functionalblocks of the electronic device 1 illustrated. The functions of theprocessor 14 are explained in more detail in relation with the methodshown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example process for remote text input. Referringto FIG. 2, there is shown an example method for inputting text (e.g.,via the communication device 2).

The processor 14 may be configured to output in a first step S1 via thedisplay 13 a display signal with at least one text field for inputtingtext. In this regard, the display signal may be displayed on a displayof the electronic device 1 or on a display of another device connectedto the electronic device 1.

In response to outputting the display signal, the processor 14 may waitfor receiving by the user control component 12 the text input directlyin step S2, or the user input for selecting text input via acommunication device 2 in step S3. The selection in step S2 may berealized by displaying in the display signal a button for text input viaa communication device 2 which can be selected by the user controlcomponent 12, e.g., using arrow keys and a confirmation key of the usercontrol component 12. Alternatively, the text input via thecommunication device 2 in step S3 can also be initiated by pressing aspecial key or combination of keys on the user control component 12.Nonetheless, the disclosure is limited to any particular way ofselection, and any other way to input this selection that is suitablemay be used (e.g., the selection can be realized by voice input). Insome example embodiments, the text input via the communication device 2may be automatically preselected so that steps S2 and S3 may be renderedsuperfluous.

If the processor 14 receives the user input for selecting the text inputvia a communication device 2 in step S3, or if this text input isautomatically preselected, the processor 14 may determine in step S4 anidentifier suitable for identifying and communicating with thecommunication device 2. This identifier may correspond to the identifierstored in the identity module 24 of the communication device 2. Theidentifier may be suitable to identify a user of the communicationdevice 2. The identifier may be suitable to identify the user of thecommunication device 2 in the first communication connection 3. Theidentifier may be, e.g., the telephone number of the communicationdevice 2. This telephone number may correspond to the IMSI stored in theSIM of the communication device 2. The identifier may be determined inthe electronic device 1 by user input, by use of a preselectedidentifier, or based on rules for selecting at least one identifier froma set of preselected identifiers. In some instances, it may also bepossible to determine more than one identifier, so that the text inputcould be provided by more than one communication device 2.

In step S5, the processor 14 may cause the communication component 11 tocreate a request, and to send the created request to the communicationdevice 2 on the basis of the determined identifier of the communicationdevice 2 to input text. Preferably, the communication component 11 maysend an SMS with the request to the communication device 2. For example,the communication component 11, which may not be directly connected tothe mobile cellular network, may connect over the Internet to a serverwhich sends the request via SMS to the communication device 2. Insteadof sending a SMS, an instant message which addresses an instant messageID corresponding to the identifier of the identity module 24 could besent.

The user receives now the request for text input on the communicationdevice 2. If an SMS is used for sending the request, it is guaranteedthat a large number of communication devices 2 may receive and read therequest from the electronic device 1, because receiving of SMS isstandardized. Therefore, no special application is necessary to bedownloaded and installed. In one example embodiment, the request maycontain a link to the Internet comprising a text input field. Therefore,the user can open a text input field on the communication device 2 byselecting the link in the received SMS. In another example embodiment,the request may be sent in an executable message and could contain someinformation to establish a local connection 4 to the electronic device1, and to configure the communication device 2 to directly control theelectronic device 1 for text input.

In step S6, text may be entered. For example, the user may use thecommunication device 2 to input text. The text input may be entered inthe request, e.g., the text field of the weblink or the text field ofthe electronic device 1 controlled by the communication device 2. Thismay have the advantage that the user may use any way of entering text ofthe communication device 2 with which the user is comfortable. On theother side, the user control component 12 of the electronic device 1,which is different from the communication device 2, may be kept verysimple.

Once the text input is finished, the user may confirm the text input,and once confirmed the text input may be sent back to the electronicdevice 1 in step S7. In an example embodiment where weblink is utilized,a confirmation or send button of the corresponding website may be usedto send the text input of the text field of the link to the electronicdevice 1. In an example embodiment where there is local control of theelectronic device 1, the text may be already sent to the electronicdevice over the local connection 4, and the communication device 2 sendsonly the confirmation to the electronic device 1 in step S7.

In step S8, the processor 14 may receive, via the communicationcomponent 12, the text input from the communication device 2. In stepS9, the processor 14 may cause the display 13 to output the displaysignal with the text field, which may also include now the received textinput. In step S10, once the processor 14 receives from the user controlcomponent 12 a confirmation of the text input, the text input may beprocessed. Nonetheless, in some example embodiments, steps S9 and/or S10may be superfluous—e.g., if the text input is processed directly whenreceiving the text input from the communication device 2. Further, ifthe user would directly input text over the user control component 12 instep S2, the method would jump directly to displaying the text input instep S9.

FIGS. 3A to 3E illustrate an example embodiment of the method for remotetext input. In particular, FIG. 3A to 3E show example displayed userinterfaces of a television 100 (as example of the electronic device 1)and a smartphone 200 (as example communication device 2), specificallyduring different method steps (e.g., the steps described with respect toFIG. 2). FIG. 3A illustrates the display signal 101 which may bedisplayed on a display of the television 100. The display signal 101 maycomprise two text input fields 102, to enable entering authenticationinformation (e.g., one field for a user/account/login name and anotherfield for a password). The input of authentication information in thismanner may have the additional advantage that third persons may not seethe authentication information while inputting those in the electronicdevice 1. This may allow also that another user which normally does notuse the electronic device 1 can safely enter his authenticationinformation by his communication device 2. In addition, authenticationinformation often requires special characters which require even moreevolved text input measures. However, the disclosure is not restrictedto input authentication information, but can be used for all kinds oftext input. The display signal 101 may also comprise a display keyboard103 and a button 104 for selecting text input via the communicationdevice 2.

FIG. 3B illustrates a display signal 201, as displayed in the smartphone200, to show the request received at the smartphone 200. The displaysignal 201 (request) may comprise a link 202, such as to a page in theInternet comprising the text field or the text fields for the requestedtext input. Once the user selects the link 202, a browser may be openedshowing the link 202.

FIG. 3C illustrates a display signal 205, as displayed in the smartphone200, with the link opened in the browser showing text input fields 202,corresponding to the text input fields 102 on the electronic device 1,as described with respect to FIG. 3A. The user may use all methodsoffered by the smartphone 200 to enter the text. For example, as shownin FIG. 3C, a display keyboard 203 may be opened on the touch screen ofthe smartphone 200 used for the text input.

FIG. 3D illustrates a display signal 206, as displayed in the smartphone200, with the link opened in a browser showing the text input fields 202and the text input therein (e.g., as entered by user of the smartphone200). The link may also comprise a button 204 for confirming the textinput and sending the text input to the electronic device 1.

FIG. 3E illustrates a display signal 106, as displayed by the television100. The display signal 106 may comprise the text fields 102, with thetext input as received from the smartphone 200. The display signal 106may also comprise a button 105, for confirming the text input.

Other embodiments of the invention may provide a non-transitory computerreadable medium and/or storage medium, and/or a non-transitory machinereadable medium and/or storage medium, having stored thereon, a machinecode and/or a computer program having at least one code sectionexecutable by a machine and/or a computer, thereby causing the machineand/or computer to perform the steps as described herein.

Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in hardware,software, or a combination of hardware and software. The presentinvention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least onecomputer system, or in a distributed fashion where different units arespread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind ofcomputer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methodsdescribed herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware andsoftware may be a general-purpose computer system with a computerprogram that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computersystem such that it carries out the methods described herein.

The present invention may also be embedded in a computer programproduct, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation ofthe methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer systemis able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the presentcontext means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of aset of instructions intended to cause a system having an informationprocessing capability to perform a particular function either directlyor after either or both of the following: a) conversion to anotherlanguage, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different materialform.

While the present invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited tothe particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention willinclude all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for remote text input in an electronicdevice, comprising: outputting a display signal displaying a text fieldfor inputting text; sending a request for text input from the electronicdevice to a communication device addressed by an identifier of anidentity module of the communication device; and receiving at theelectronic device the requested text input from the communicationdevice.
 2. The method according to claim 1, comprising, in response tooutputting said display signal, receiving from a user control of theelectronic device a selection to input the text over the communicationdevice.
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the user control ofthe electronic device is a remote control.
 4. The method according toclaim 2, wherein the user control is different from the communicationdevice.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the identity moduleis a subscriber identity module and the identifier is a telephone numbercorresponding to the subscriber identity module.
 6. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the request is sent over a mobile cellular networkand the identifier is an identifier of the mobile cellular network. 7.The method according to claim 6, wherein the request is sent in a SMSmessage.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the SMS sentcomprises a telephone number of origin as origin of the SMS and theelectronic device receives the requested text input from an SMS sent tosaid telephone number of origin.
 9. The method according to claim 1,wherein the request comprises a link to the internet, the link comprisesa text input field, and the electronic device receives the requestedtext input from a site corresponding to said link.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the request comprises address of theelectronic device in a local connection, and the requested text input isreceived at the electronic device via the local connection.
 11. Themethod according to claim 1, comprising outputting a display signaldisplaying the requested text input received at the electronic deviceand confirming the text input by the user control of the electronicdevice.
 12. A method for remote text input in an electronic device via acommunication device, comprising the steps of: receiving a request fortext input from the electronic device at the communication device,wherein the request addresses the communication device on the basis ofan identifier stored in an identity module of the communication device;receiving text input from a user of the communication device and sendingthe text input from the communication device to the electronic device.13. An electronic device comprising: a display configured to output adisplay signal displaying a text field for inputting text; acommunication component configured to send information to acommunication device addressed by an identifier of an identity module ofthe communication device and to receive information from thecommunication device; a processor configured to: control the display tooutput a display signal displaying a text field for inputting text;control the communication component to send a request for text input tothe communication device and to receive the requested text input fromthe communication device.
 14. The electronic device of claim 13,wherein: the display is configured to output a display signal displayingthe requested text input received at the electronic device; and theprocessor is configured to receive a confirmation of the text input,from a user control device, and the user control device is differentfrom the communication device.
 15. The electronic device of claim 13,wherein the communication component is configured to receive, inresponse to outputting the display signal, a selection to send the textvia a communication device.
 16. The electronic device of claim 15,wherein the communication component is configured to receive theselection from a user control device, the user control device beingdifferent from the communication device.
 17. The electronic device ofclaim 13, wherein the communication component is configured to send therequest for text input over a mobile cellular network, with theidentifier of the communication device being an identifier in the mobilecellular network.
 18. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein thecommunication component is configured to send the request for text inputin a SMS message.
 19. The electronic device of claim 18, wherein the SMSmessage comprises a telephone number to indicate origin of the SMS, andthe electronic device receives the requested text input from a responseSMS message sent to the telephone number of origin.
 20. The electronicdevice of claim 13, wherein the request for text input comprises a linkto the Internet, the link comprising a text input field, and theelectronic device receives the requested text input from a sitecorresponding to the link.